The following Photographs and information have been donated by Battlefrontmodels Customers over the years they range from basic to customised RC tanks and vehicles to heavily modified models.
All images and data are copyright to the Members and BFM

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SU-100 Soviet Tank Destroyer
by
Peter Symonds, Nottingham UK

The SU-100 was one of the most powerfull tank destroyers of WW2 (AFV's) combining a 100mm 4 inch Naval gun into a T34 Chassis, it was fast reliable and capable of punchinng a hole clean through any tank of that time.
Unlike most WW" vehicles it was still in production for several years after the war and used in combat by Syrian forces during the Ypm Kippur war of 1973.

Peter informs us that this is a modified version of the WSN 34/85 using the Imperial Modelbau SU 100 conversion kit and fully painted to depict the SU=100 Tank Destroyer serving with the 1st. Guards mechanised division during the Budapest offensive of early 1945.

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Above and Below photographs Peter has added some nice touches to the Imperial Modelbau kit by producing casting marks on the fixed turret and suitable weathering and rust on the top hatches.

Below is a black and white photo of an SU-100 deployed ready for an assult

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DID YOU KNOW

Between 1939 1nd 1945 the contents of the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum were stored in a deep stone quarry at Westwood in Wiltshire, but the best kept secret of all was the hiding place of the Crown Jewels.

To this day the hiding place has never been revealed and is still considered to have a 'D' notice upon it.

A 'D' notice is a Crown British Gov't gagging order of secrecy and if spoken about you would be considered a traitor... and possibly shot.

These orders still exist today in the High Court.

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Winter Halftrack - Sd.Kfz 251

with a delicate white wash finish
sent in by
Owen Long -Bexley Heath. Kent UK

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Rumour has it that you soon will be able to buy an RC version kit of this type model, so you will be able to give it a test run on the carpet.
'But only when the wifes out'

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DID YOU KNOW

In Rommels Desert War 25% of the fuel to keep the tanks moving was used up to transport it to the battle front, and 35% of his vehicles were out of operation through battle damage and lack of spare parts, not to mention sand entering the engines.

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Jagdpanther

sent in by
Peter Symonds of Nottingham UK

This model is a reworked version of the HL model.
and featuring a Battlefrontmodels armoured churtzen skirts kit.

The word 'Jagd' in German means Hunt so the name Jagdpanther .. Hunting Panther. the Panther was one of the best ambush tank destroyers built by the Germans in WW2.

Developement

A heavy tank destryer design based around the 88 mm PAK 43 gun and the panther tank chassis was ordered in late 1942 as design Sd.Kfz 173.
Production started in early 1944 at the same time Hitler specified the name 'Hunting Panther' name.

To accomodate the heavier calibre gun, much on previous jagdpanther style un turreted tank destroyers the sides of the Panther tank were extended up into an integral, turretless fixed casemate as part of the main hull itself to provide a roomy interior. Both the Panther ausf,G and the Jagdpantherhad side armour added to increase elevation to enhance this effect even further and to harmonize production.

It was armed with an anti tank version of the same long barreled 88mm gun as the Tiger 2 and a 7.92mm MG34 machine gun in the front glacis plate for local defence. The Jagdpanther had a good power to weight ratio as well as the main gun, which enabled it to destroy any type of allied tank.

Because it was based upon the existing Panther chassis the vehicle did not suffer too many mechanical problems. It was manned ny a crew of 5, driver, radio operator, commander, gunner and loader.

Having no turret targeting was achieved by slewing the tank roughly onto the target using the tracks then final adjustment via limited movement of the barrel manually.. this became a practiced art by the crews who could swing the tank and then the barrel very quicly to get onto target.

There are two production variants one with a welded steel band around the main gun mantlet and the other with a bolted on band ring,

the versions with the bolted on ring were equiped with a PAK 43/4 gun. Early Jagdpanthers were fitted with a monobloc gun barrel and two vision slots at the front for the driver, whereas later versions ony had one.

With having no turret and mechanisms to turn the Jagd's were somewhat cheaper and faster to put into service.

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DID YOU KNOW

Herman Goring visited Swizerland in 1936 for dipomatic talks he informed the Swiss Ministers that he had 2 million men at arms close to the Swiss border, and the Swiss nation only had 1 million men at arms. Goring asked the Minister what he thought about that.

The Swiss minister thought for a moment and replied, well we Swiss will have to shoot twice !